University of Arizona Medical Pharmacology – Perfusion Sciences Graduate Program

Perfusion Sciences Program Overview

Our perfusion program is the first in the United States that is structured with a dual track, resulting in a Master’s of Science degree in Medical Pharmacology, plus technical and clinical training in Cardiovascular Perfusion. Located in Tucson, Arizona, we are an integrated graduate research program incorporating the investigation of pharmacological, biomaterials, laboratory and clinical aspects of extracorporeal circulation. This discipline will prepare students for professional practice in perfusion with a wide range of experiences including: cardiovascular research, systems design and development, cardiopulmonary bypass, and life support systems. The University of Arizona College of Medicine is an outstanding institution for this integrated approach, due to its research and clinical strengths in: physiology, pharmacology, open-heart surgery, heart transplantation, organ preservation, mechanical circulatory systems, and related engineering sciences.

This Perfusion Program has faculty members from the Medical Pharmacology Biomedical Engineering and Surgery Departments that are internationally recognized with diverse clinical and research interests. The research facilities are equipped and staffed to provide an excellent opportunity for a superb graduate research experience.  Since 2012, all of our graduates have found employment well before their graduation dates or continued in advanced medical education.

Perfusion Sciences Admissions

Requirements for Admission

Applicants must possess a Bachelors degree. It is required that applicants have recent academic training in chemistry through organic and biochemistry, biology through anatomy and physiology, physics and mathematics through calculus. Some clinical and/or research experience is recommended.

Four students are normally admitted to begin the program during the summer (June 1) of their first year.

To apply to our program the following are required:

• On-Line Graduate application for admission, accompanied by the appropriate application fee ($85): Select the Summer term of the year you are interested in enrolling.
• BS or BA degree with at GPA > 3.2.
• Prerequisites undergraduate coursework: biochemistry, organic chemistry, math (calculus), anatomy, upper level biology and physiology, and physics.
• Clinical observation(s) of open heart surgery while shadowing clinical perfusionists.
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work sent to the program director at the address below.
• Results of the General Graduate Record Examination (GRE) sent to Dept Code 0216; Institutional Code 4832.
• Three letters of recommendation (e.g. science professors, lab mentors, employers and supervisors in academically relevant jobs, etc.).
• A statement from you explaining what you have learned about profession and both why you wish to be a perfusionist as well as why you wish to receive graduate-level training in Perfusion Sciences.

Applications will be accepted and considered on a rolling basis starting June 1st, 12 months prior to enrollment in the program.